Sad news envelops the Indonesian business and political world with the passing of Rachmat Gobel on Friday (10/7/2026) at the age of 63. As a figure with a long track record in both the manufacturing sector and government, his passing leaves a deep impression on business players in the country.
The General Chairperson of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, paid special tribute to the deceased. According to Shinta, Rachmat Gobel was a visionary figure who consistently promoted industrial innovation, human resource development, and strengthened collaboration between the private sector and the government to enhance national competitiveness.
Furthermore, Shinta emphasized that the deceased's actions have served as an example for the business community. Rachmat Gobel is considered to have successfully demonstrated that a businessman's focus is not merely on pursuing profit growth, but also on upholding social responsibility through job creation and building a sustainable industrial ecosystem.
Rachmat Gobel himself was widely known as the second generation of the Gobel Group family. Before serving as a politician and Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), he also held the strategic position of Minister of Trade from 2014 to 2019, which strengthened his reputation as a leader who understood Indonesia's macroeconomic dynamics.
The national business world now remembers the legacy of his thoughts and dedication as a long-term inspiration. Although he is gone, the spirit of innovation he instilled is believed to continue driving national economic growth in the future.
